United States Space Force

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Space service branch of the U.S. military

"Semper Supra" redirects here. For the official march of the United States Space Force, see Semper Supra (march).

Not to be confused with United States Space Command.

United States Space Force
Armed forces of the United States[2] Department of the Air Force
Headquarters	The Pentagon Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.[3]
Motto(s)	Semper Supra "Always above"[4]
March	"Semper Supra"[5]
Anniversaries	20 December
Equipment	See spacecraft and space systems
Engagements	As Air Force Space Command Kosovo Defense Campaign Iraq Campaign[6] As U.S. Space Force CMSSF John F. Bentivegna
Insignia
Flag
Logo
Emblem

Military unit

The United States Space Force (USSF) is the space force branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six armed forces of the United States and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States.^[7] It is also one of two independent space forces in the world.^[8]

The United States Space Force traces its origins to the Air Force, Army, and Navy's military space programs created during the beginning of the

Air Force Space Command

in the 1980s marked a renaissance for military space operations.

Proposals for a U.S. Space Force were first seriously considered during the

Reagan Administration as part of the Strategic Defense Initiative. Congress began exploring establishing a Space Corps or Space Force in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The idea of establishing a Space Force was resurrected in the late 2010s in response to Russian and Chinese military space developments, resulting in the Space Force's establishment on 20 December 2019 during the first Trump Administration

.

The Space Force is organized as part of the

U.S. Air Force, a coequal service. The Department of the Air Force is headed by the civilian secretary of the Air Force, while the U.S. Space Force is led by the chief of space operations

. The U.S. Space Force's status as part of the Department of the Air Force is intended to be an interim measure towards a fully independent Department of the Space Force, led by a civilian secretary of the Space Force.

Mission

Secure our Nation's interests in, from, and to space.

— Mission statement of the United States Space Force[9]

The Space Force's statutory responsibilities are outlined in 10 U.S.C. § 9081 and originally introduced in the United States Space Force Act, the Space Force is organized, trained, and equipped to:

1. Provide freedom of operation for the United States in, from, and to space;
2. Conduct space operations; and
3. Protect the interests of the United States in space.

The Department of Defense further defines the specified functions of the Space Force to:^[10]

1. Provide freedom of operation for the United States in, from, and to space.
2. Provide prompt and sustained space operations.
3. Protect the interests of the United States in space.
4. Deter aggression in, from, and to space.
5. Conduct space operations.

The Space Force further breaks down its mission into three core functions, which align directly to its mission statement to "secure our Nation's interests in, from, and to space:"

1. Space Superiority (in space)
2. Global Mission Operations (from space)
3. Assured Space Access (to space)

Space Superiority

Space superiority defends against space and counterspace threats by protecting spacecraft in space or protecting against attacks enabled by adversary spacecraft, requiring that the Space Force establish control of the domain. The Space Force describes that at a time and place of the United States' choosing it must be able to assure continued use of spacecraft and deny adversaries use of their spacecraft or space-enabled capabilities.^[9]

Missions that support space superiority include

space battle management.^[9]

Global Mission Operations

Global mission operations integrates joint functions across all domains (land, air, maritime, space, cyberspace) on a global space. Through space, the U.S. military and its allies can see, communicate, and navigate. Global mission operations also protect U.S. forces on Earth through early warning of incoming missiles and other types of attack. The Space Force describes global mission operations as allowing the rest of the U.S. military to defend the air, land, and sea.^[9]

Missions that support global mission operations include

positioning, navigation, and timing.^[9]

Assured Space Access

Assured space access ensures that the Space Force can deploy and sustain equipment in outer space. This includes space launches as well as controlling and steering spacecraft out of the way of oncoming space debris to avoid collisions. The Space Force describes assured access to space as being able to make sure it can continue launching and conducting space operations 24/7.

Missions supporting space access include launch, range control, cyber, and space domain awareness.^[9]

History

Main article: History of the United States Space Force

The Defense Department enters space

In the long haul, our safety as a nation may depend upon achieving "space superiority." Several decades from now, the important battles may not be sea battles or air battles, but space battles, and we should be spending a certain fraction of our national resources to ensure that we do not lag in obtaining space supremacy.

— Major General Bernard Schriever, 19 February 1957^[9][11]

In the

Western Development Division in 1954 and placing it under the command of General Schriever.^[12] The Army followed a year later, creating the Army Ballistic Missile Agency under the leadership of General John Bruce Medaris and Wernher von Braun.^[13]

The Army led the United States into space, launching the first American spacecraft,

space launch vehicles, while also conducting astronaut recovery and supporting space launches from the Air Force's Eastern Range.^[14]

The Air Force was recognized as the lead military service for space by the early 1960s, with the Army and Navy operating in supporting roles. Early military space efforts were focused on developing and fielding spacecraft to accomplish national objectives, with a focus on weather, reconnaissance and surveillance, communications, and navigation. On 18 August 1961, the Air Force and National Reconnaissance Office launched the first CORONA reconnaissance mission, recovering 3,000 feet of film from space and imaged 1.65 million square miles of the Soviet Union's territory.^[9]

Concerned about the development of the Soviet Union's own space forces, the Air Force advocated for a military

air superiority. General LeMay believed that it was naive to believe that the same trends were not expected to be seen in space and must be prepared for. Although the Air Force made significant progress in developing the X-20 spaceplane, Manned Orbiting Laboratory, and Blue Gemini, opposition from the Department of Defense

prevented operational fielding.

In November 1968, the Central Intelligence Agency reported a successful satellite destruction simulation performed by the Soviet Union as a part of its Istrebitel Sputnikov anti-satellite weapons research programme.^{[15][16][17][18][19]} Possibly as a response to the Soviet programme, the United States has earlier began Project SAINT, which was intended to provide anti-satellite capability to be used in the case of war with the Soviet Union.^[20][15][21] However the project was cancelled early on due to budget constraints and after details were leaked to The New York Times in 1962.^[21] Despite these setbacks, the Air Force did successfully field the Program 437 anti-satellite weapon system, which used nuclear Thor missiles to intercept and destroy enemy spacecraft.^[14]

Although most military space forces were organized under the Air Force, they were still fragmented within several different major commands. Recognizing rapid growth of space forces and the need to centralize them under one command, the Air Force established

Army Space Command under a single operational commander. These two moves, along with the Strategic Defense Initiative's establishment by President Ronald Reagan, led to a renaissance of military space operations in the 1980s.^[14]

Space forces were first used in combat operations during the

Operation Just Cause marked the first time that major U.S. forces incorporated information from space-based intelligence systems.^[22]

The

missile warning of Iraqi Scud missile launches, and satellite navigation for air and land forces moving across a featureless desert.^[14][23] The decisive role that space forces played directly enabled an overwhelming Coalition victory and led to the Persian Gulf War being coined "the first Space War."^[24]

While U.S. space forces supported all U.S. military operations in the 1990s,

Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.^[26]

Path to a separate space service

Creating a new military service...would be a dramatic step. Perhaps a "Space Corps" would be a step toward a Space Force. Maybe the Air Force will preempt these dramatic changes by truly becoming the "Space and Air Force."

— Senator Bob Smith, 18 November 1998^[9]

Air Force Space Command

activation ceremony in 1982

The idea of a separate service for space originated in the 1960s. Military space activities were briefly consolidated under the

Advanced Research Projects Agency in 1958, loosely centralizing space activities under a single organization. The Air Force, Army, and Navy feared that it would evolve into a "fourth service" for space, before authorities were returned to the service.^[14]

The first direct call for a U.S. Space Force occurred in 1982, prior to

Air Force Space Command's establishment or the Strategic Defense Initiative's public announcement. As part of a report recommending the acceleration U.S. space-based laser weapon development, the Government Accountability Office recommended the U.S. Air Force be reorganized as the U.S. Aerospace Force or that an independent U.S. Space Force be created.^[27] Ultimately, a Congressional proposal to rename the U.S. Air Force as the U.S. Aerospace Force and speculation that President Ronald Reagan may announce the creation of a U.S. Space Force accelerated Air Force plans to create a space command within the service.^[14]

Following the

Persian Gulf War, the Air Force and Defense Department declared that "space power has now become as important to the nation as land, sea, and air power." Despite this public pronouncement, a growing section of Congress believed that space was being shortchanged and used only as an auxiliary to air operations. In 1998, drawing parallels between the challenges faced by post-World War I Army Aviators and post-Gulf War Air Force space operators, Senator Bob Smith publicly called for the establishment of a Space Force if the Air Force could not, or would not, embrace spacepower. An independent Department of the Space Force would ensure that space got its fair share of resources within the Defense Department, with Senator Smith calling for the creation of a Space Corps within the Department of the Air Force as a bridge to a fully independent Space Force.^[27]

In 2000, Senator Smith led Congress in establishing a commission to examine the organization and management of national security space. The Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization, better known as the 2001 Space Commission or the Rumsfeld Commission, released its report in 2001. The Rumsfeld Commission noted the strong risk of a "Space Pearl Harbor," harking back to Imperial Japan's surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet in 1941. It was extremely critical of the Air Force's treatment of space, with few witnesses expressing confidence that the Air Force would address the requirement to provide space capabilities to the other services or move beyond treating space as just a support capability for air operations. The most significant recommendation of the Rumsfeld Commission was the creation of a Space Corps within the Department of the Air Force in the mid-term, which would evolve into a

Department of the Space Force

in the long-term. The Rumsfeld Commission expected the transition from Air Force Space Command to a fully independent Space Force to occur in between 2006 and 2011. ^[27][28]

Air Force leadership reacted extremely poorly to the Rumsfeld Commission's recommendations. The day after the Commission was publicly released

Space and Missile Systems Center from Air Force Materiel Command to Air Force Space Command and establishing the National Security Space Institute.^[27] Ultimately, the Rumsfeld Commission's recommendations remained unfulfilled because of the higher priority placed on counterterrorism after the September 11 attacks, canceling plans for a Space Corps within the Department of the Air Force or a fully independent Space Force by 2011.^[29]

Jay Raymond after signing the 2020 NDAA

that established the U.S. Space Force

While the United States' focus shifted from space to counterterrorism, the Russian Armed Forces and Chinese People's Liberation Army realized the military benefits that could be gleaned from space, as well as the incredible reliance the United States put on its space forces. Throughout the 2000s, Russian and Chinese space and counterspace capabilities began to increase.^[9] In 2001, the Russian Space Forces were reestablished as an independent arm and in 2007, China conducted a destructive anti-satellite missile test causing the single largest space debris generating event in history.^[30][31][32] In the aftermath of the Chinese ASAT test, Congress tasked the Allard Commission to reevaluate the Defense Department's space organization and management. The Allard Commission noted that the United States' dependence on space had increased, but comparatively little...[had] been achieved to make them more secure." It also noted, despite the recommendations of the Rumsfeld Commission, authority and responsibility for national security space remained fragmented and unfocused. Like the 2001 Rumsfeld Commission, the 2008 Allard Commission recommended establishing a Space Corps within the Department of the Air Force or a separate Department of the Space Force to unify national security space. ^[27]

It took until 2017 for members of Congress to act on the recommendations of the Rumsfeld and Allard commissions to create a Space Corps within the Department of the Air Force. Representatives Mike Rogers and Jim Cooper unveiled a bipartisan proposal to establish a Space Corps within the Department of the Air Force, however it experienced significant opposition from the Air Force and Defense Department, failing in the Senate. ^[33][34] However, the proposal was resurrected in 2018 when President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the creation of a Space Force and directed the Defense Department to reverse its opposition and develop plans for its establishment.^[35][36] The Trump Administration plan for the U.S. Space Force was outlined in Space Policy Directive-4, initially organizing the U.S. Space Force as part of the Department of the Air Force, but with plans to build out a separate Department of the Space Force in the future.^[37] In 2019, Congress passed legislation establishing the U.S. Space Force as a military service under the Department of the Air Force. On 20 December 2019, the National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law and the U.S. Space Force was established as the sixth armed service, meeting the Rumsfeld and Allard commissions' recommendations to create a Space Corps within the Department of the Air Force, but still falling short of creating a separate Department of the Space Force.^[27]

The sixth service

We are at the dawn of a new era for our Nation’s Armed Forces. The establishment of the U.S. Space Force is an historic event and a strategic imperative for our Nation. Space has become so important to our way of life, our economy and our national security that we must be prepared as a Nation to protect it from hostile actions.

— Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, 20 December 2019^[38]

As the U.S. Space Force was established on 20 December 2019, General

U.S. Air Force Academy class of 2020 became Space Force members 3 through 88 on 18 April 2020.^[41] Currently serving Air Force space operators began to become Space Force members in September 2020 and the service gained its first astronaut when Colonel Michael S. Hopkins swore into the Space Force aboard the International Space Station on 18 December 2020.^{[42][43][44][45]}

The Space Force also began to build out its culture and identity, however, it experienced several public relations challenges due to its perceived ties to

Air Force Ballistic Missile Division in 1962, four years before Star Trek first aired on television in 1966.^[51] Star Trek graphic designer Michael Okuda recalled that Starfleet's logo was chosen as an homage to Air Force Space Command, the Space Force's direct predecessor.^[51]

The service also chose the title "Guardian" to represent its personnel, becoming its counterpart to Soldier and Airman. The term "Guardian" has a long history within Air Force Space Command, originally serving as part of its motto: "Guardians of the High Frontier."^[52] The Space Force also adopted Semper Supra as its official motto and unveiled its service song, sharing the same name.^[53] The decision on if the Space Force's ranks would mirror the Army, like the Air Force and Marine Corps, or the Navy, generated significant controversy, with Congressman Dan Crenshaw introducing an amendment which would force the Space Force to pattern itself after the Navy's rank structure.^[54] Ultimately, the amendment failed and the Space Force followed an Air Force/Army/Marine Corps-based rank scheme.^[9]

The Space Force began to officially incorporate former Air Force Space Command units in 2020 and 2021, standing up field commands to serve as counterparts to the Air Force's major commands. It also consolidated Air Force wings and groups into mission deltas, a formation roughly equivalent to an Army

Brigade Combat Team or Air Force expeditionary wing, and space base deltas (briefly known as garrisons), equivalent to an Army garrison or Air Force air base wing.^[55][56] It also began to rename former Air Force bases and station to Space Force bases and station, starting with Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.^[57] It also established component field commands to serve as Space Force components at the unified combatant commands, assuming space component responsibility from the U.S. Air Force.^[58]

One of the primary reasons the Space Force was created was to consolidate space forces from across the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and U.S. Navy.

Naval Satellite Operations Center and Army's Satellite Operations Brigade transferred to the Space Force, putting satellite communications under a single service for the first time in history.^[62][63] In 2023, it assumed responsibility for the Army's Joint Tactical Ground Station, putting all space-based missile warning under the Space Force.^[64]

The Space Force's first significant combat action occurred less than a month after its establishment, providing missile warning when Iran launched missile

Al Asad Airbase on 7 January 2020.^[65] In 2021, the Russian Federation conducted an anti-satellite weapons test, destroying the Kosmos 1408 and putting the International Space Station at risk.^[66]

Organization

Main articles: Structure of the United States Space Force and List of active duty United States Space Force general officers

Department of Defense

The Space Force is organized into a headquarters staff that provides leadership and guidance for the force; field commands that are responsible for organizing, training, and equipping Guardians; deltas that support field commands and are specialized by mission area; and squadrons which specialize in acquisitions, cyberspace operations, engineering, intelligence, and space operations.^[9]

Headquarters Space Force

At the headquarters level, the Space Force is led by the

U.S. Marine Corps combine to form the Department of the Navy.^[9]

Title		Current holder
	Chief of space operations (CSO)		Gen B. Chance Saltzman
	Vice chief of space operations (VCSO)		Gen Michael Guetlein
	Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force (CMSSF)		CMSSF John F. Bentivegna
	Director of staff (SF/DS)		Maj Gen Steven P. Whitney
	Deputy chief of space operations for human capital (SF/S1)		Katharine Kelley
	Deputy chief of space operations for intelligence (SF/S2)		Maj Gen Gregory Gagnon
	Deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and nuclear (SF/S3/6/10)		DeAnna M. Burt
	Deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs, requirements, and analysis (SF/S5/8)		Lt Gen Shawn Bratton
	Deputy chief of space operations for technology and innovation (SF/S9)		Vacant
	Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships		AM Paul Godfrey

Field commands, Space Force elements, and direct reporting units

The Space Force's three field commands (FLDCOM) are purpose-built for specific activities, aligning to the various institutional responsibilities to organize, train, and equip Guardians. Component field commands (C-FLDCOM) coordinate and integrate space forces into planning and current operations within unified combatant commands. Direct reporting units (DRU) are hubs of innovation and intelligence expertise within the Space Force, providing new ideas or deep knowledge about highly specialized issues.^[9]

Field command		Mission	Headquarters
	Space Operations Command (SpOC)	Generates, presents, and sustains space warfighting capability for combatant commanders	Peterson SFB, Colorado
	Space Systems Command (SSC)	Develops, acquires, equips, fields, and sustains lethal and resilient space capabilities	Los Angeles AFB, California
	Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM)	Increases Guardians' readiness to prevail in competition and conflict through education, training, doctrine, and test	Peterson SFB, Colorado
Component field command		Mission	Headquarters
	U.S. Space Forces – Space (SPACEFOR–SPACE)	The U.S. Space Force component to U.S. Space Command which plans, executes, and integrates military spacepower into multi-domain global operations for all U.S. military operations beginning at the Kármán line , 62 miles/100 kilometers above mean sea level	Vandenberg SFB, California
	U.S. Space Forces – Central (SPACEFOR–CENT)	The U.S. Space Force component to U.S. Central Command which plans, executes, and integrates military power across an area of responsibility that spans Northeast Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia	MacDill AFB, Florida
	U.S. Space Forces – Europe and Africa (SPACEFOR–EURAF)	The U.S. Space Force component to U.S. Africa Command which plans, executes, and integrates military spacepower across an area of responsibility that spans Europe, large portions of Asia, the Middle East, Arctic Ocean, and Atlantic Ocean and Africa	Ramstein AB, Germany
	U.S. Space Forces – Indo-Pacific (SPAFOR-INDOPAC)	The U.S. Space Force component to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command which plans, executes, and integrates military spacepower across an area of responsibility that spans the Asia-Pacific region	JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
Space Force Element		Mission	Headquarters
	Space Force Element National Reconnaissance Office (SFELM NRO)	Supports the design, development, launch, and maintenance of America's intelligence satellites	Chantilly, Virginia
Direct Reporting Unit		Mission	Headquarters
	Space Development Agency (SDA)	Develops, demonstrates, and transitions resilient military space-based sensing, tracking, and data transport capabilities into a proliferated multi-orbit architecture, encompassing government, commercial, and rapid acquisition architectures	The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia
	Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO)	Specializes in the expedited development and rapid production and deployment of space capabilities to fulfill short-term critical needs	Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
Field Operating Agency		Mission	Headquarters
	National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC)	Delivers unparalleled technical expertise and game-changing intelligence – empowering national leaders, joint force warfighter and acquisition professionals to outwit, out-reach and win in the space domain[67]	Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

Bases

Main article: List of United States Space Force installations

While the Space Force's headquarters is in Washington, D.C., the rest of the service is spread across the United States and abroad, across 18 states and territories and 46 bases and installations as of 2024.^[9]

Cape Canaveral SFS

Vandenberg SFB

class=notpageimage|

U.S. Space Force installations and locations located within mainland United States.

Clear SFS

Kaʻena Point SFS

Maui SFS

Pituffik SB

class=notpageimage|

U.S. Space Force installations and locations outside of the contiguous United States.

U.S. Space Force installations

Name	Location	Garrison
Buckley Space Force Base	Aurora, Colorado		Space Base Delta 2
Peterson Space Force Base	Colorado Springs, Colorado		Space Base Delta 1
Schriever Space Force Base	Colorado Springs, Colorado		Space Base Delta 1
Los Angeles Air Force Base	El Segundo, California		Space Base Delta 3
Patrick Space Force Base	Satellite Beach, Florida		Space Launch Delta 45
Vandenberg Space Force Base	Lompoc, California		Space Launch Delta 30
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station	Cape Canaveral, Florida		Space Launch Delta 45
Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station	Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado		Space Base Delta 1
Cape Cod Space Force Station	Sagamore, Massachusetts		6th Space Warning Squadron
Cavalier Space Force Station	Cavalier, North Dakota		10th Space Warning Squadron
Clear Space Force Station	Clear, Alaska		13th Space Warning Squadron
Kaena Point Space Force Station	Kaena Point, Hawaii		21st Space Operations Squadron
New Boston Space Force Station	Hillsborough County, New Hampshire		23rd Space Operations Squadron
Maui Space Force Station	Maui, Hawaii		15th Space Surveillance Squadron
Pituffik Space Base	Pituffik, Greenland		821st Space Base Group

As the United States Space Force matures, and as national security requires, it will become necessary to create a separate military department, to be known as the Department of the Space Force.

— Space Policy Directive-4, 2019^[37]

The Space Force is currently organized as a service under the Department of the Air Force, more closely mirroring the concept of a Space Corps rather than a fully independent Space Force. Senator Bob Smith, the 2001 Rumsfeld Commission, and 2008 Allard Commission each envisioned that a Space Corps would first be created under the Department of the Air Force as an interim measure as it grew into a fully independent Space Force.^[27] In 2019, Space Policy Directive-4 directed the Space Force be initially established under the Department of the Air Force as the first step towards an independent Department of the Space Force, which would take over the entire space mission from the Department of the Air Force. It also directed the Secretary of Defense to conduct a periodic review to determine when to recommend the President seek legislation to establish the Department of the Space Force.^[37]

Following the Space Force's establishment there have been a number of calls to rename the Department of the Air Force to the Department of the Air and Space Forces to reflect its composition of the

Space Force advocates have also called for the creation of an undersecretary of the Air Force for space. This provision was included in the Trump Administration's original legislative proposal to give the Space Force additional independence and autonomy but was removed by the Senate.^[71][72][73] There have also been numerous calls from inside and outside the Space Force for it to have its own public affairs and judge advocate generals, independent from Air Force.^{[74][75][76][77]}

When the Space Force was established in 2019 it was intended to consolidate the existing military space forces across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.[78] While the Navy and Air Force gave up all of their space forces, the greatest resistance to transferring space forces came from the Army.^[79]

While the Army transferred its satellite communications and missile warning assets, there are still calls for it to transfer

The U.S. Space Force and its antecedents have a long history of cooperation with NASA, as the lead government agencies for military and civil spaceflight. The Space Force's predecessors in the Air Force, Navy, and Army provided NASA with its early space launch vehicles and most of its astronauts.^[88]

The Space Force's first two astronauts, Colonel Michael S. Hopkins (left) and Colonel Nick Hague (right)

The Space Force hosts NASA launch operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.^[89][90] NASA occasionally hosts U.S. Space Force heavy launches out of Kennedy Space Center.^[91] The Space Force continues to support NASA's human spaceflight missions with range support of Space Launch Delta 45 and tracks threats to the International Space Station and other crewed spacecraft.^[92][93]

The Space Force and NASA partner on matters such as

The

The USSF's

The Space Force and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) jointly operate the military's weather satellites.

The decision to transition space traffic management from the military to the Department of Commerce was made due to the significant growth in commercial spacecraft and to mirror how the Federal Aviation Administration, rather than the U.S. Air Force, handles air traffic management.^[107]

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, scientists derived the rocket equation, which made spaceflight possible. In this equation, ${\displaystyle \Delta v}$ represents the change in velocity. Since the 20th century, the delta has been used to represent a stylized aircraft, missile, or arrow. In 1940, the

Space Force service members have the title of Guardians, similar to how members of the U.S. Marine Corps are called Marines and members of the Air Force are called Airmen. The title of guardian traces its heritage to Air Force Space Command's 1983 motto Guardians of the High Frontier.^[109] Prior to the announcement of Guardian as the service title on 18 December 2020, members of the Space Force were referred to as space professionals.^[110]

The Space Force's motto, Semper Supra – "Always Above".^[111] It mirrors the mottos of the Marine Corps (Semper Fidelis – Always Faithful) and Coast Guard (Semper Paratus – Always Ready).^[112][113] The Space Force's service song takes its name from the motto.^[114]

Space Operations	Intelligence	Cyberspace Operations	Acquisition and engineering
Officer
13A – Astronaut 13S – Space Operations Officer	14N – Intelligence Officer	17S – Cyberspace Effects Operations Officer	62EXA – Aeronautical Engineer 62EXB – Astronautical Engineer 62EXC – Computer Systems Engineer 62EXE – Electrical/Electronic Engineer 62EXH – Mechanical Engineer 62EXI – Human Factors Engineer/Human Systems Integration 63A – Acquisitions Manager
Enlisted
5S – Space Systems Operator	5I0 – All Source Intelligence Analyst 5I1 – Geospatial Intelligence Analyst 5I2 – Signals Intelligence Analyst 5I3 – Fusion Analyst 5I8 – Targeting Analyst	5C – Cyberspace Operations

Space operators are the largest career field in the Space Force and comprise much of its senior leadership.^[115] Space operations officers are responsible for leading the Space Force's space operations forces. Space operations officers (13S) are responsible for planning and leading space combat operations across orbital warfare, space electromagnetic warfare, space battle management, and space access and sustainment spacepower disciplines. They also formulate space operations policy, coordinate space operations, and plan, organize, and direct space operations programs.^[116][117] Enlisted Space Systems Operators (5S) are responsible for conducting orbital warfare, space electromagnetic warfare, space battle management, and space access and sustainment operations.^[118][119] Space operations officers and enlisted space systems operators are awarded the Space Operations Badge after completing the 533rd Training Squadron's Undergraduate Space Training program at Vandenberg Space Force Base, with follow-on education provided by the 319th Combat Training Squadron and National Security Space Institute.^[120]

The Space Force currently has two

Cyberspace effects operations officers (17S) are responsible for operating cyberspace weapons systems, satellite communications systems, and commanding cyber crews.^[117] They lead enlisted Cyberspace Operations guardians.^[128] Cyberspace effects operations officers and enlisted cyberspace operators are awarded the cyberspace operator badge after completing Undergraduate Cyber Training with the Air Force's 81st Training Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, with follow-on education provided by the 319th Combat Training Squadron and National Security Space Institute.^[129]

Acquisition and engineering are officer only career fields within the Space Force. Specific developmental engineers (62E) include

The U.S. Space Force has seven core spacepower disciplines in which its personnel gain experience:^[137]

1. Orbital Warfare: Knowledge of orbital maneuver as well as offensive and defensive fires to preserve freedom of access to the domain. Skill to ensure United States and coalition space forces can continue to provide capability to the Joint Force while denying that same advantage to the adversary.
2. Space Electromagnetic Warfare: Knowledge of spectrum awareness, maneuver within the spectrum, and non-kinetic fires within the spectrum to deny adversary use of vital links. Skill to manipulate physical access to communication pathways and awareness of how those pathways contribute to enemy advantage.
3. Space Battle Management: Knowledge of how to orient to the space domain and skill in making decisions to preserve mission, deny adversary access, and ultimately ensure mission accomplishment. Ability to identify hostile actions and entities, conduct combat identification
   , target, and direct action in response to an evolving threat environment.
4. Space Access and Sustainment: Knowledge of processes, support, and logistics required to maintain and prolong operations in the space domain. Ability to resource, apply, and leverage spacepower in, from, and to the space domain.
5. intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
   capabilities needed to defend the space domain.
6. Engineering and Acquisition: Knowledge that ensures military spacepower has the best capabilities in the world to defend the space domain. Ability to form science, technology, and acquisition partnerships with other national security space organizations, commercial entities, Allies, and academia to ensure the warfighters are properly equipped.
7. offensive capabilities
   .

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program is offered at 1,100 colleges and universities. Like the Air Force Academy, it commissions officers directly into either the Air Force or Space Force.^[146] The Air Force Officer Training School is the final path to commission into the Space Force, graduating its first two Space Force officers on 16 October 2020 and its first all-Space Force flight graduating on 17 March 2023.^[147][148]

The Space Force partners with

US DoD pay grade	O-10	O-9	O-8	O-7	O-6	O-5	O-4	O-3	O-2	O-1	Officer candidate
NATO code	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1		OF(D)
Insignia											Various insignia
Service dress uniform (Class A)
Service uniform (Class B)
Mess dress uniform
OCP uniform
Title	General	Lieutenant general	Major general	Brigadier general	Colonel	Lieutenant colonel	Major	Captain	First lieutenant	Second lieutenant	Cadet / Officer trainee
Abbreviation	Gen	Lt Gen	Maj Gen	Brig Gen	Col	Lt Col	Maj	Capt	1st Lt	2d Lt	Cdt / OT

Enlisted

Space Force enlisted members are enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force, earning an associate in applied science degree.^[159] Professional military education is conducted at Space Training and Readiness Command's Forrest L. Vosler Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.^[160] Other educational opportunities for enlisted members include the 319th Combat Training Squadron, National Security Space Institute, Advanced Instructor Course and the Space Test Course.^[161][154]

The Space Force's enlisted rank design is centered on a hexagon, representing the Space Force's status as the sixth military service in the Armed Forces. The horizontal stripes for Specialist 2, 3, and 4 were inspired by an early proposal for Air Force enlisted ranks known as "Vandenberg stripes". The delta represents the Space Force. The specialist stripes represent terra firma, the solid foundation of skills upon which the Space Force is built. Noncommissioned officer insignia feature traditional chevrons and the "Delta, Globe, and Orbit," representing the totality of the Space Force. Finally, senior noncommissioned officer insignia are topped with "orbital chevrons", representing low Earth orbit for master sergeants, medium Earth orbit for senior master sergeants, and geosynchronous orbit for chief master sergeants. These orbital chevrons signify the higher levels of responsibility and willingness to explore and innovate placed upon senior noncommissioned officers. Finally, the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force is represented by a "Delta, Globe, and Orbit" in a hexagonal wreath.^[162]

• 
  Vice Chief of Space Operations General David D. Thompson swears in the first four enlisted Space Force recruits on 20 October 2020
• 
  The first seven enlisted guardians graduate from Basic Military Training on 10 December 2020

US DoD pay grade	Special		E-9	E-8	E-7	E-6	E-5	E-4	E-3	E-2	E-1
NATO code	OR-9			OR-8	OR-7	OR-6	OR-5	OR-4	OR-3	OR-2	OR-1
Insignia
Title	Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman	Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force	Chief master sergeant	Senior master sergeant	Master sergeant	Technical sergeant	Sergeant	Specialist 4	Specialist 3	Specialist 2	Specialist 1
Abbreviation	SEAC	CMSSF	CMSgt	SMSgt	MSgt	TSgt	Sgt	Spc4	Spc3	Spc2	Spc1

Air Force Mess Dress Uniform (interim)	Service Dress Uniform Class "A"	Service Uniform Class "B"	Air Force Service Dress Uniform (interim)	OCP Uniform	Physical Training Uniform

The Space Force is currently in the process of developing its unique mess dress, service dress, and physical training uniforms.^[163] In the interim period, guardians wear the Air Force Mess Dress, Air Force Service Dress, and Air Force Service uniforms with the following modifications:^[164]

• Space Force insignia on the coat/shirt
• Replaced "Hap Arnold Star & Wings" buttons with "Delta, Globe, & Orbit" buttons
• Replaced Air Force Great Seal of the United States service cap badges with Space Force Delta, Globe, and Orbit service cap badges
• Replaced Air Force nametag with Space Force hexagonal nametag
• Space Force enlisted rank worn in place of Air Force enlisted ranks (enlisted only)
• Replaced Circle U.S. lapel insignia with Hexagonal U.S. insignia (enlisted only)

The primary Space Force uniform is the OCP Uniform, adopted from the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army. The Space Force uses unique "space blue" thread for ranks and badges, wears a full color flag on the left sleeve, and wears full color patches.^[165]

The Space Force's distinctive blue and gray service dress uniform was unveiled at the Air & Space Forces Association's 2021 Air, Space, and Cyber conference. The dark blue was taken from the Space Force's seal and represents the vastness of outer space, while the six buttons represent that the U.S. Space Force is the sixth armed service.^[166] The Space Force's Physical Training Uniform was unveiled in September 2021. As of April 2023, the Space Force stated that the Physical Training Uniform would be available by early 2024 and that the Service Dress Uniform would be available by late 2025.^[167]

Space Force cadets at the Air Force Academy wear the same uniform as Air Force cadets; however, in their distinctive blue and white parade dress uniforms they wear a platinum sash in place of the gold sash worn by Air Force cadets.^[168]

Ribbons for the proposed Guardian of the Year Ribbon.

As part of the United States Department of the Air Force, the United States Space Force and United States Air Force share the same awards and decorations or same variations of awards and decorations.^[169]

On 16 November 2020, the Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III renamed the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Air Force Recognition Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Ribbons, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award, and the Air Force Training Ribbon to replace "Air Force" with "Air and Space" to include the Space Force. He also eliminated Air Force from the Air Force Combat Action Medal and renamed the Air Force Special Duty Ribbon to the Developmental Special Duty Ribbon.^[170]

The Space Force is currently in the process of developing a Space Force Good Conduct Medal to replace the Air Force Good Conduct Medal for enlisted members which was approved on 30 August 2023.^[171][172] Congress has also debated changing the Airman's Medal, awarded for non-combat heroism, to the Air and Space Force Medal, mirroring the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.^[173]

Devices

Arctic "A" Device	Arrowhead Device	Combat "C" Device	Oak leaf cluster		Remote "R" Device	Service Star		Valor "V" Device

Medal of Honor	Air Force Cross	Distinguished Service Medal	Silver Star Medal	Legion of Merit	Distinguished Flying Cross	Airman's Medal	Bronze Star Medal	Purple Heart	Meritorious Service Medal	Air Medal	Aerial Achievement Medal	Air and Space Commendation Medal	Air and Space Achievement Medal

Presidential Unit Citation	Gallant Unit Citation	Meritorious Unit Award	Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award	Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award

Combat Action Medal	Combat Readiness Medal	Space Force Good Conduct Medal	Air and Space Recognition Ribbon	Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal	Air and Space Campaign Medal	Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal	Air and Space Overseas Service Ribbon (Short Tour)	Air and Space Overseas Service Ribbon (Long Tour)	Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon		Air and Space Longevity Service Award	Developmental Special Duty Ribbon	Air Force Enlisted Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon	Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon	Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon	Air and Space Training Ribbon

U.S. Space Force spacecraft

Name	Spacecraft image	Mission	Operator	Number
Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF)		Satellite communications	Space Delta 8[174]	6[115]
Advanced Technology Risk Reduction (ATRR)		Space surveillance[175]	Space Delta 9[176]	1[115]
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP)		Environmental monitoring	Mission Delta 2[177]	4[115]
Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS)		Satellite communications	Space Delta 8[174]	6[115]
Defense Support Program (DSP)		Missile warning[178]	Mission Delta 4
Electro-optical/Infrared Weather System – Geosynchronous (EWS-G)[179]		Environmental monitoring	Mission Delta 2[177]
Fleet Satellite Communications System (FLTSAT)		Satellite communications	Space Delta 8
Global Positioning System (GPS)		Positioning, navigation, and timing	Mission Delta 31	32[115]
Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP)		Space surveillance[180]	Space Delta 9[176]	6[115]
Milstar		Satellite communications	Space Delta 8[174]	5[115]
Mobile User Objective System (MUOS)		Satellite communications	Space Delta 8
Operationally Responsive Space-5 (ORS-5)		Space surveillance[181]	Space Delta 9[176]	1[115]
Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS)		Battlespace awareness Technical intelligence[182]	Mission Delta 4	7[115]
Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS)		Space surveillance	Space Delta 9[176]	1[115]
Ultra High Frequency Follow-On (UFO)		Satellite communications	Space Delta 8
Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS)		Satellite communications	Space Delta 8[174]	10[115]
X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle		Orbital test spaceplane	Space Delta 9[176]	2[183]

U.S. Space Force space systems

Name	Space system image	Mission	Operator
AN/FPS-85		Space surveillance	Mission Delta 2
C-Band Space Surveillance Radar System[184]		Space surveillance	Mission Delta 2
Cobra Dane		Space surveillance[185]	Mission Delta 4
Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS)		Space surveillance	Mission Delta 2[177]
Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR)		Space surveillance[186]	Mission Delta 4[187]
Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS)		Space surveillance[188]	Mission Delta 4
Satellite Control Network (SCN)		Ground station	Space Delta 6
Space Fence		Space surveillance	Mission Delta 2
Space Surveillance Telescope[177]		Space surveillance	Mission Delta 2
Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR)		Space surveillance[189]	Mission Delta 4

U.S. Space Force contracted space launch vehicles

Name	Space launch vehicle image	Class	Contractor
Atlas V		Medium-lift launch vehicle	United Launch Alliance
Electron		Small-lift launch vehicle	Rocket Lab
Falcon 9		Medium to Heavy-lift launch vehicle	SpaceX
Falcon Heavy		Heavy to Super heavy-lift launch vehicle	SpaceX
Pegasus		Air launched small-lift launch vehicle	Northrop Grumman

While a new service, the U.S. Space Force is undergoing intensive modernization efforts. The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) is intended to track objects in geosynchronous orbit with three sites, one in the United States, one in the Indo-Pacific, and one in Europe.^[194]

Oracle, a spacecraft developed by the

The Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3), building on the Space Force's Global Positioning System constellation, is an Air Force Research Laboratory spacecraft that will operate in geosynchronous orbit to test advanced techniques and technologies to detect and mitigate interference to positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities and increase system resiliency for military, civil, and commercial users. NTS-3 is a Vanguard program, which mark potentially game changing technologies.^[198]

The Space Force's Rocket Cargo program is another Air Force Research Laboratory Vanguard program, which is focused on leasing space launch services to quickly transport military materiel to ports across the globe. If proven viable, the Space Force's Space Systems Command is responsible for transitioning it to a program of record. United States Transportation Command would be the primary user of this capability, rapidly launching up to 100 tons of cargo anywhere in the world.^[199]

• National Security Space Launch
• Air & Space Forces Association
• Militarization of space
• List of space forces, units, and formations
• Space National Guard
• Space Force Association
• Starlink in the Russo-Ukrainian War
• Strategic Defense Initiative
• Women in the United States Space Force